Search - Clannad :: Lore

Not their best

Zenith | Netherlands | 01/11/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I find this recording somewhat disappointing. I've listened to nearly every album by Clannad before and after this one and I have to say that this one is far from the best and I certainly do not find it less pop than the other Clannad albums of the 90s, as some of the other reviewers claimed.The album has 11 tracks on it and I found only three songs up to standard (seeing what a talented band such as Clannad is capable of putting out). The opening track, "Croi Cróga", is strong and sounds promising. If you like "I Will Find You", you'll probably like this one as well. "Dealramh Go Deo" is also a very good song without any unneeded pop influences, and features great vocals in the traditional of Caislean Óir and Theme From Harry's Game. The final track on the album is a beautiful instrumental piece and has a pure Celtic feel to it, like Loch Na Cailli on Landmarks, which Clannad would released after this one. Track 7 is perhaps also still above average but that's absolutely it.The five songs (nearly half!) that are in English are not at all what I had hoped. "Trail of Tears" and "A Bridge..." are still more or less OK, but surely not more than that. Of the other songs "Seanchas" I thought to be the worst.If you do not mind, or even like, the mixture of pop with new age and Celtic music, then I guess this record is not at all bad. But personally, all my favorite songs by Clannad are the more traditional Celtic pieces, with hardly any pop influences in them (or with some, none at all)For people solely interested in the Celtic/New Age side of Clannad I would suggest either to buy a compilation/Best Of album (as their are many of those released and the majority of them feauture most of the tracks that are really worthwhile) or an early Clannad album. Magical Elements is a good compilation for example, that gives you 16 songs, nine of which are absolutely brilliant, plus some of the better songs that have some pop/jazz in them. Still if I was to make an own compilation it would look different but that's understandable.If you still like to try out several recordings by Clannad I would definately recommend the following albums instead of Lore (in given order):Magical Ring
Banba
Crann Ull
Landmarks (Fado is the best song they ever recorded in my opinion)
Fuaim
Legend
Dulaman
AnamSirius is probably worse than this one though, I would leave that one as well..."

Clannad's Absolute Best!!

Deborah MacGillivray | US & UK | 04/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you only buy one Clannad album, make it Lore. This just does not get any better!! With their mix of English and Gaelic, with haunting melodies, perfect vocals....ah, pure MAGICK!!!I have literally worn this CD out!!"

Truely inspiring album

emrgcymed | Monrovia, MD United States | 01/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the first album I purchased of Clannad's. I was first interested in this group after learning that Maire (lead singer) was Enya's sister. I love the atmospheric effects and impressive vocals of this album and truely enjoy it, even though I do not speak gaelic yet. I would recommend this album to anyone interested in new age celtic music. If you are looking for more traditional celtic music without as much of a new age emphasis, I would recommend the Chieftans. It is definately an album worthy of being in your collection."